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pianoloverus
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Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 21717
Loc: New York City

Originally Posted By: BruceD

Originally Posted By: Jeff Clef

Remember diagramming sentences in English class? I believe that affectations such as "AN historic occasion" are an effort to make the article agree in number with the noun, [...]

How does "a historic occasion" differ from "an historic occasion" with respect to number agreement with the noun?

It's a question of the (perceived) vowel quality of the "h" in historic, isn't it? Similarly, one would say : "a grand piano" but "an expensive piano;" the agreement remains singular between the indefinite article and the noun.

Regards,

Of course, even I knew that and I usually have no idea about any grammar or usage questions that appear(for no good reason) at PW.

"Histrionic," "historic," and similar words are considered by some to begin with non-aspirated, or silent "h" - even though the "h" is pronounced! - in which case those persons would speak and write "an historic occasion" - considered by some to be pedantic.

Such words as "hour," "honor," "honesty," do begin with a non-aspirated "h" so one would always write : "See you in an hour." It's an honor to know you." etc. ...

Mark_C
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Registered: 11/11/09
Posts: 21045
Loc: New York

Originally Posted By: BruceD

...."Histrionic," "historic," and similar words are considered by some to begin with non-aspirated, or silent "h" - even though the "h" is pronounced! - in which case those persons would speak and write "an historic occasion" - considered by some to be pedantic....

â€śIt's quite simply a question of "a" before a consonant and "an" before a vowel. The word following "a" or "an" can be a noun or an adjective or an adverb.â€ť

Top marks BruceD ... but if only those American chappiescould spell words like "honour" correctly ... the baseball enthusiasts keep dropping their "u's" ...we more cultured types play the gentleman's game of cricket, don't you know (straight-bat and all that rot).

Some say that Bach played cricket ... his finger-dexterity must have made him a very good spin-bowler.